“This book should be a gift to any young woman considering a medical career and wondering if she could do it. ”
“A fantastic journey into the science of the human heart and one heroic doctor who repairs and replaces them.”
“From the very first page right up to the climactic ending, this book will entertain you with the real life wit, humor, and drama.”

Dr. G, as she’s known, is one of only nine women in the U.S. sub-specialty board certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgeons to what she’s about to do — take a scalpel sharper than a dozen razors, cut through eleven-month-old Claudia’s skin, saw open her breastbone and spread her ribcage apart in order to repair congenital defects threatening a malformed heart the size of a walnut.

It’s just after 9:00 AM. Claudia will be in the OR until 2:00 PM, along with a team of talented surgeons, nurses, techs, anesthesiologists, perfusionists and others.

Dr. G is in charge.

What will she find when she opens the chest?

How will this tiny little child hold up in surgery?

You won’t believe the real-life medical drama in this intense, close-up visit to the cardiac OR.

About the Author –

Mark Oristano is a 35-year veteran journalist.

Mark’s new book, SURGEON’S STORY, is about Dr. Kristine Guleserian, one of the most interesting women in medicine, a pediatric heart surgeon at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas. Mark spent six years as Dr. Guleserian’s shadow at Children’s, observing dozens of surgical procedures, going on rounds, meeting with patient families and more. It was a crash course in congenital heart disease which he simplifies for the non-medical reader.

Congenital heart defects received national attention recently when TV star Jimmy Kimmel announced that his newborn son was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot. In Surgeon’s Story, the first case you’ll see Dr. Guleserian deal with is what heart surgeons call “TOF” for short.

From the story of 2-year old Rylynn’s heart transplant, to 13-year old Andrew throwing out the first pitch at a Boston Red Sox World Series game three weeks after his heart transplant, Surgeon’s Story will bring you right up to the operating table for this true story of a woman with great skills, and a huge heart herself.

From the Author

I spent nearly seven years shadowing Dr. Kristine Guleserian, one of the nation’s leading pediatric heart surgeons. I saw heart transplants, patient consults, physician rounds, and more. Dr. G, as she’s known, is one of the most dedicated, talented people I’ve ever known. Her dedication to her patients is immense. But best of all. She is an ordinary woman with an extraordinary skill set. It was a privilege to work on this project and to be able to tell a story so much worth telling. Pick up your copy with just one click.

What made you decide to write Surgeon’s Story?

I’ve been a volunteer at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas for 20 years, and I got to know Dr. Guleserian in a very casual fashion, seeing her give a couple of lectures and things. But the more I found out about her, as both person and surgeon, the more I thought she’d be a great subject for a book. And she agreed to the project with the one proviso that it would not be in her first-person voice.

What it is like to watch heart surgery?

Well, if your only notion of heart surgery comes from watching MASH, you’d be disappointed. It’s almost bloodless. But the most impressive thing is the incredible, complete teamwork functioning of the OR team. Surgeons, nurses, scrub techs, perfusionists, anesthesiologists, all work like a well drilled football team, or a perfectly synchronized ballet company. It’s really a very beautiful thing to watch.
Who are you hoping will be eager to read Surgeon’s Story?

Well, pretty much everybody, obviously. But beyond that, there are two core audiences. First, anybody who has ever enjoyed Chicago Hope or Gray’s Anatomy, or ER, and wants to see what really goes on in those life-or-death hospital settings. And secondly, young people, especially girls, who are thinking of careers in science and would like to follow in Dr. G’s shoes.

The Inspiration Behind Surgeon’s Story

I’ve been a volunteer at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas for 20 years, working in the PACU, the Post Anesthesia Care Unit. To the layman, that’s the Day Surgery Recovery Room.

I attended several lecture given by a heart surgeon at Children’s named Kristine Guleserian, and each time I was impressed by the doctor’s humor and warmth, but also the intense intellectual honesty she brought to her work, and her feelings about her work.

I would see her around the hospital, and we’d chat about baseball as we were both big fans. And then I began to hear more and more stories from other people about things that Dr. G, as she’s known, had done for her patients after their surgeries. So, I decided to take a flyer.

I walked into her office one day and said, “How’d you like to do a book with me?”

“What about?” she asked.

“About you.”

“Nobody wants to read about me.”

“Everybody wants to read about you. They just don’t know it yet.”

Dr. G thought for about ten seconds and then said simply, “Why not.” Seven years later, we had a book.

In that intervening time, I spent many hours as her shadow. In the OR, in patient consultations, on rounds and more. I saw what I later would describe as an ordinary woman with an extraordinary skill set. She’s only five feet tall, but as they say in sports, she plays six foot two. She stands on a small stool when she’s operating, and I’ve seen her stand on that stool for 16 hours straight, with no breaks for water, food, the bathroom… nothing.

Once, after a ten-hour double lung transplant, somebody in the OR noticed she was wearing four-inch Prada heels. They asked her how she could stand that long in those shoes.

“Simple,” she replied. “If you can’t operate in heels, you can’t operate.”

How could you not want to write about someone like that?

Follow My Life. One Story at a Time. for future book reviews, promotions, and giveaways!

My Life. One Story at a Time. A free book may have been provided by the source in exchange for an honest review. Views expressed by authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of My Life. One Story at a Time. My opinions are my own. This provided in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 55. In the state of Louisiana, we are no longer allowed to be Amazon affiliates, therefore the Amazon link is provided for your benefit only. My Life. One Story at a Time. does not collect any affiliate fees.

Post navigation

About Me –

I’m Donna, and My Life is like an episode of "I love Lucy!" I'm a writer, book reviewer, and a Southern Lady who loves Sweet Tea and chocolate. My blog, My Life. One Story at a Time. is where I've been writing short stories since 2009. It’s a place where books, organizing, planning and life with German Shepherds and a retired cop all collide. Welcome to My Life!
You may contact me at mylife.onestoryatatime@gmail.com for a book review - but, please READ my Review Policy FIRST. Thank you.

Provided in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 55.

Disclosure – Please be advised that some of the links provided are affiliate links and I do receive a small commission if you make a purchase using those links. This does not cost you any extra when you make a purchase, and I only recommend products I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I very much appreciate your support of this blog in doing so!

A free book or product may have been provided by the source in exchange for an honest review. Views expressed by authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of My Life. One Story at a Time. My opinions are my own. This provided in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 55.